12.09.2022 | She studies
Successful startup ecosystems are characterized by a good transport and telecommunication infrastructure, a high population density, a high percentage of foreign nationals and many skilled workers.
This is the result of a study by the Institute for Research on SMEs (IfM) in Bonn. Regional start-up ecosystems at the district level were examined. “At first glance, cities generally seem to offer better location factors for potential founders than rural regions. This tends to be the case. But there are also cities in Germany whose population is less than average prone to starting a business. , such as Wolfsburg, Bottrop, St. Wendel or Jena “, reports the head of the study, Dr. Rosemarie Kay.
At the same time, IfM researchers identified 11 rural districts where the propensity to start a business has been above average in recent years. In addition to Marburg-Biedenkopf, Miesbach, Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, these exceptional districts also include the districts of Görlitz, Dahme-Spreewald and Teltow-Fläming.
Specific strengths compensate for specific weaknesses
However, there is no panacea for developing a good regional start-up ecosystem. Furthermore, regional start-up ecosystems do not have to be well equipped in every respect to be accompanied by a high propensity to start a business. “Rather, we found that specific strengths can compensate for specific weaknesses. In the case of the Görlitz district, where there are many Polish-born self-employed in the construction sector, the location of the border appears to have a positive effect. In other districts, the universities or the tourist offer can obviously compensate for the regional shortcomings given.
In other words: the set of framework conditions that promote start-ups can vary considerably from region to region. Ultimately, a good start-up ecosystem depends on a favorable interaction of several factors “, summarizes Dr. Rosemarie Kay. This can therefore have a stabilizing effect on start-up activities in a region even in times of crisis. .
(IfM / STB Web)
